Automatic error correcting device



April 28, 1959 c. R.-DQTY ETAL AUTOMATIC ERROR CORRECTING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 29, 1955 PUNCH MAGNETS FIG. I

DUP RELAY CARD READ STATION KEY BOARD AFIG.2

-# 1 STEP *2 STEP -1!-' 2 RESET #1 RESET INVENTORS CHARLES R. DOTY QY JSMITH ATTORNEY 7 STEPPING SWITCH #1 STEPPING SWITCH 9 United StatesPatent AUTOMATIC ERROR CORRECTING DEVICE Charles R. Doty, Poughkeepsie,and Roy J. Smith, Warp pingers Falls, N.Y., assignors to InternationalBusiness Machines Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication June 29, 1955, Serial No. 518,796

16 Claims. (Cl. 164-113) This invention relates to a statistical cardpunching machine and more particularly an improved device forautomatically duplicating in a second card, correct information from afirst card containing correct information followed by an error.

In the conventional use of a statistical card punch of the type shown inUS. Patent No. 2,647,581, a keyboard is used to energize punch magnetsat a card punch station. (This is known as a keying operation.) Thesequence of operation is such that upon energization of punch magnets(storage), an escapement operation takes place advancing the nextsucceeding card column of the card at the punch station into punchingposition whereupon the information stored in the punch magnetsv ispunched into the card.

For convenience in control of the punching station, the card isconsidered as being subdivided into fields, with each field having apredetermined information assignment. For example, field 1 would containa name; field 2 an address; field 3 a city and then successive fieldswould contain statistical information; such as part quantity, color,etc. The field subdivision is determined by a program card, as describedin the aforementioned Patent 2,647,581, which program card is punched tocontrol the actuation of electrical switches that condition circuitscorresponding to the field being punched. For example, one electricalcircuit might be conditioned for operation by a star wheel sensing ahole in the fourth row (four hole) of a column of the program card.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a device forautomatically duplicating only the correct fields of a card if an erroris punched in that card, after several fields have been properly punched(error card). That is, by depressing an error control button on thekeyboard, all the correct fields are automatically duplicated in a newcard without manually re-keying it.

In the above mentioned patent, 2,647,581, a card read station and a cardpunch station are shown, and the operation of the punch station inresponse to information either in the card at the read station or undercontrol of a keyboard is described. Circuitry is also described forduplicating information from one card to another by manually closing aduplicate switch, while the operator visually checks the error card asit advances through the card read station. Just before the error cardreaches its error column, the operator opens the duplicate switch, andthen manually keys the remainder of the statistical information. Such anoperation requires the operators individual attention, and it ispossible for her to make an error in the duplication by failing to stopon time, and thereby duplicate the error information. Accordingly, it isa further object of this invention to provide an improved automaticduplicating process for a statistical card punch, by which onlypreselected information is punched or duplicated from the error cardinto a new card.

A specific advantage of this automatic duplicator is that it permits theoperator to perform some other operation 2 while an error card is beingduplicated. For example, if the card punch were being operatedconcurrently with the manipulation of a typewriter keyboard (as is wellknown in the art), then during card error duplication the typist cancorrect the corresponding typewritten form.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device forduplicating an error card which might contain information duplicatedfrom a previous error card when an error is keyed after correctduplication has taken place.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be pointed out inthe following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of theinvention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applyingthat principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic circuit indicating that the card punch station ofa statistical card punch is selectively under control of either the cardread station, or a manual keyboard; while Figs. 2 and 2a combined form aschematic wiring diagram of the circuitry for operating the automaticduplicating device. 7

This invention relates to an IBM card punch of the type shown in US.Patent 2,647,581, which is provided with additional circuitry whereby afirst stepping switch is impulsed every time a field of a card has beencorrectly punched. If an error is punched in a card after one or morefields have been correctly punched, then by closing an error switch, theerror card will be advanced to a card read station to act as a storagedevice for the duplication of its correct fields into a new card at thecard punch s'tation. The duplication process advances a second steppingswitch step by step as each correct field is duplicated until the twostepping switches are in coincidence, whereupon the duplication processwill be terminated, and the remainder of the statistical information ismanually keyed into the second card. If an error is punched in thesecond card after the automatic duplication process, and while it isbeing manually keyed, then the second card is used as a storage devicefor the duplication of its correct fields into a third card, whichprocess can be continued until a correct card is punched.

As a basis for the following description, let it be assumed that a cardis in the punch station-and a card is in the read station of astatistical card punch, such as described in US. Patent 2,647,581, withthe card in the read station at column 1 and the card in the punchstation at column 0. The card at the punch station is then punched(keyed) column by column, under control of the manual keyboard.

In a keying operation, depression of any key on the keyboard sets upinterposelrs at the card punch station, and the operation of theinterposers, in turn, sequentially causes an escapement cycle (advancingthe cards in read station and punch station one column) and then thepunching of the stored information into the card column that is advancedinto punching position. This process is continued through the keying offield one, or until a skip key is hit, which, as described in aforesaidUS. Patent 2,647,581, causm both the card in the read station to beadvanced until column one of the second field is at the read line, andthe card at the punch station to be advanced until the column before thefirst column of field two is in punching registration (punch line). Ifan error is punched in the first field, it cannot be correctedautomatically, and instead the first field must be manually re-keyed.

As described in US. Patent 2,647,581, a program drum, having a programcard thereon, is stepped in coincidence with the card column at the cardread station. A star wheel sensing device is provided for readingpunched holes in the program card, with the sensing 23 wheel acting toclose electrical switches as a hole is read in its assigned card row.

In the illustrated embodiment, one of the star wheel contacts-the oneassigned to read row four (four hole) closes an electrical switch (ST-4)each time the first column of a new card field is advanced to the cardread line (the program card is punched so that it contains a four-holein the first column of each card field, except for the first column offield one). The electrical switch ST-4 (in line 101, Fig. 2), each timeit is closed, conditions a circuit to pulse the number one steppingrelay (#1 step) thereby advancing stepping switch 1 (line 104) oneposition.

Actually the circuit in line 101 is from through star wheel switch ST-4,via R44 normally closed, through R22-6 normally open, but closed asdescribed in next paragraph; through R1-3 normally closed; through R2-2normally closed, and through the #1 stepping relay (#1 step) to ground,thereby pulsing the #1 stepping switch and' advancing it one position.This advance of the stepping switch is intended to represent that all ofthe previous card field has been satisfactorily punched (in the instancefield #1).

Relay R22-6 is an escape interlock relay and it is in the stepping relaycircuit as a safety feature to prevent pulsing the stepping relay untilthe first character in the succeeding field (in the instance, field two)is called for by the keyboard. As the keyboard energizes one of thepunch interposers at the card punch station, thereby initiating a cardcolumn escape cycle, R-22 is energized completing the circuit to the #1stepping relay.

The R4-4 contact point, as later described, is a con tact point on acard release relay.

After column one of the second field has been advanced to the card readline, the machine remains at rest until the operator resumes the keyingoperation. The operation of the keyboard (as above described),indirectly causes the pulsing of the #1 stepping relay, and simultaneously causes the selected holes to be punched in column one of fieldtwo at the card punch stations. The keying operation is then selectivelycontinued through all of field two until the operator either hits a skipkey to advance the card into the first column of field three, oradvances it to field three in punching and escapement cycles. In eitherevent, when the first column of card field three reaches the readstation, the star Wheel S1 4 will again sense a number four hole (infirst column of field three) to send another pulse to the #1 steppingrelay: i.e. after R22-6 is closed by the first keyboard operation offield three. The pulsing of the #1 stepping relay advances the #1stepping switch from number one position to number two position, torepresent thereby that all of field one and all of field two have beensatisfactorily completed.

The operator continues keying through field three, until she hits theskip key, or until she normally escapes into the first column of fieldfour, whereupon, as above described, the #1 stepping switch will beconditioned for advancement to number three position (upon firstkeyboard stroke) representing thereby that field three wassatisfactorily punched.

Let it be assumed that in field four the operator makes an error. Assumethis error is noted immediately, or at any time before the firstcharacter is next field (fifth field) is punched. As heretoforedescribed, the escapement interlock relay 22-6 is held open until theoperator keys the first character of the next field, consequently, the#1 stepping switch after being advanced to the number three positionwill remain in that position all through the error field (fourth) anduntil the first card punch cycle of the succeeding (or fifth) field.

Upon noting the error, the operator hits the error key (line 112) toclose the contact 20 which closes a circuit to the common of the contact1-23. This contact is under control of #1 stepping switch, and istransferred as. long as the #l stepping switch is in other than its zeroposition. Consequently, after the first column of field two has beenadvanced to the read station (and the #1 steppin relay is pulsed), thenthe #1 stepping switch transfers all #1 contacts. Consequently, thepulse from contacts 20 (line 112) will pick up a relay Rl-P (pick) whichcloses the point R1-5 (line 106) thereby establlshing a hold circuitthrough R26 normally closed and through Rl-S normally open, now closed,to the hold winding whereupon R1 will be held up until the R2-6 contactis opened (which as later described, takes place when the No. 2 steppingswitch is advanced to coincidence with the No. 1 stepping switch). Thecontacts 20 (line 112) of the error key also provide a parallel circuitthrough the contact R1-1 normally open, now closed, to a Normal Releaserelay (line 111) and Special Release relay (line 111). This NormalRelease relay, when energized, conditions circuits (not shown, butdescribed in US. Patent 2,647,581) for advancing a card from columneighty at the punch station to a point where column one of the same cardis at the read station. Simultaneously, a new card is fed to a pointwhere its zero column is registered at the punch station. v I

When the zero column of the new card is registered at the punch station,then the CF-3 cam (line 109) (as described in Gardiner Patent 2,647,581)is closed to send a pulse through R1-6 contact point normally open, nowclosed, to pick up duplicate relay 28. A parallel hold circuit isestablished through 28-6 (011 line 109) normally open, now closed,through R1-7 normally open, now closed through contact normal Rel-14normally closed, to the positive side of the line (line 108). It will beremembered that the R1-7 point is picked up by the error key, and willhold up until'we have coincidence between the first and second steppingswitches.

The release point NR 14 is normally closed, but as soon as the NormalRelease relay is energized to start a release operation (i.e. to advancea card from punch station to read station) it is transferred to itsnormally open side and its stays there until column 81% of the card atpunch station is registered with the punch line, then drops out againand restores to its normally closed side. Consequently, the releasecontact NR 14 will be in its normally closed position (as shown in Fig.2) by the time the zero column of a new card is in registration with thecard punch station, when CF-3 closes.

With reference to Fig. 1, it will be noted that when the duplicate relay28 is energized, the card punch magnets are under control of the cardread station, instead of the manual keyboard.

When the duplicate relay 28 is energized, and after a release operation,the information in the first field of the error card will be duplicatedinto the new card at the punch station. In the Gardiner Patent2,647,581, this circuit is described, as is another circuit (blankcolumn) for advancing each card into the first column'of the nextsucceeding field after the punching in one field has been completed.More specifically, in parallel with the duplicate relay 28 anothercontact point (01f line 109) R18 normally open, now closed is providedwhich energizes (a blank column) relay 30. This relay 30, whenenergized, conditions the card punch to skip over the blank columns inthe remainder of any field until the card at the read station isadvanced so that column one of the next succeeding field is at the readstation, and the zero column of the next field of the other card is atthe punch station.

Automatic error correction I In the operation of the automaticduplicator, the theory is to pulse the #2 stepping switch relay as eachcorrect field is duplicated, and continue duplication of all fieldsuntil the positions of the two stepping switches (line 104) are incoincidence, and then return the machine to con-- trol of the keyboardfor manual. keying.

To accomplish this result, a circuit is provided (line 101a) through anormally closed contact point of step switch #2 to energize the #2stepping relay (#2 step) to advance the associated switch from the zeroto the one position as soon as the duplicate relay 28 is energized. Asthe No. 2 stepping switch reaches its No. 1 position the normally closedpoint in line 101a is mechanically opened so that the #2 step relayreceives only a single stepping pulse through line 1010.

Point R1-3 in line 101 is transferred to its normally open side when R1(line 112) is energized as a result of closing error key 20. Then #2stepping relay (instead of #1) is under the control of the No. 4 hole inthe program card. However, there is no #4 hole in program card untilfirst column of field two, consequently, the stepping switch No. 2 willnot be advanced to the second position until the first column of thesecond field is punched in duplication. That is, a pulse will passthrough the star wheel ST-4 and through R4-4 (normally closed) andthrough R22-6 (when the first escapement takes place under duplication)and then, the pulse will pass through the normally open R1-3 point, nowclosed, to the No. 2 stepping relay thereby advancing No. 2 steppingswitch to the second position. So too will it be advanced to the threeposition as the first column of the third field is punched. Therefore,the second stepping switch will be in its No. three position when thefirst column of the third field is duplicated. It will be rememberedthat the No. 1 stepping switch had been stopped in the third positionand now the No. 2 stepping switch is in the third position, but beforethe No. 2 stepping switch got to the third position, the duplicate relay28 which was still up, started duplication of the third field, and onceduplication is started, the program card controls duplication throughthe remainder of the field. For example, #12 holes are punched rightacross the program card, except for the first column of each field. The#12 holes condition circuits through star wheel switches via line 151 tocontinue duplication once the duplicate relay has started duplicating afield.

Under the facts presented, duplication will take place through all offield three but, since coincidence of the two stepping switches hastaken place, a pulse is available through R4-2, normally closed (line102), to the No. l stepping switch; through the No. l stepping switchcontact point 3 (line 104) through contact point 3 of No. 2 steppingswitch to R22-7 normally open, now closed (under control of escape relayas described for R226, line 101) to Rl-Z normally open, now closed;through R3-4 normally closed to the R2 relay. When R2 is picked up, itwill be noted that the R26 contact point normally closed (line 106) isnow opened, thereby dropping out the R1 hold coil so that all the R1points will drop out. Then R2 holds through R24 normally open, nowclosed. Also, R2-2 (line 101) will transfer to connect R3 to line 101.Accordingly, R1-7 opens (line 109a) thereby permitting R-28 to drop outas soon as program card runs out of #12 holes in any associated field.Also, R1-3 (line 101) will return to its normally closed position sinceR1 has dropped out, thereby providing a circuit to R-3 (off line 101).

Duplicating through the third field will continue until the new cardreaches a position wherein the first column of field four is one columnout of the punch station. In the meantime the first column of field fourof the error card is now at the read station. Then after the nextescapement cycle (which must be under control of manual keyboard sincethe duplicate relay 28 is open) a pulse is available from the fourthhole in program card to energize the R3 pick relay (since R22 istransferred).

R3 has a hold coil which is energized through (line 107) the normallyclosed drum contact, through R3-2 normally open now closed. R3 hold willremain energized until the card in the punch station reaches columneighty- 6 one, at which column the drum contact (line 107) will open todrop out R3.

The fourth card field (of the new card) now can be punched under controlof the manual keyboard, and if the fourth. field is correctly punched,the card can be advanced until the first column of the next or fifthfield is in alignment with the card read station and the correspondingcolumn of the card to be punched is just one column short of the punchstation.

As the first column of field four is manually punched, the pulse fromthe star wheel contact ST-4 is available through R2-2 normally open, nowclosed, to energize R3, as above described, instead of stepping relay#1, since it is already in a position indicating that three fields havebeen correctly punched.

When R3 is up-and it will be up until the end of the card beingpunchedR2 (line 104) can no longer be energized (since R34 is open),hence #1 stepping relay is reconnected to the star wheel contact ST-4(line 101). Accordingly, if field four is correctly punched, then whenthe first column of field five is punched, a pulse is available through(line 101) the star wheel contact ST-4; R4-4 normally closed; R22-6normally open, now closed; R1-3 normally closed (since Rl-hold droppedout (line 106) as soon as R2-6 opened as a result of coincidence betweenstepping switches #1 and #2); through R2-2 normally closed to pulse the#1 stepping relay to advance stepping switch #1 to the fourth position.

This sequence of operation will continue through the remainder of thecard until either the error key or the release key is closed.

If the card is punched without error, then the card can be released, andas the card passes through column eighty to column eight-one (whichoperation is described in U.S. Patent 2,647,581) the drum contact (line107) is transferred to pick the R4 relay. When the R4 relay is picked,the R4-2 contact (line 102) is changed from its normally closed to itsnormally open side thereby pulsing the reset for both #2 and #1 steppingswitches to restore them to their zero positions respectively.

However, if during the manual punching of the new card, another error ismade (after correct fields had been duplicated in it), then when theoperator hits the error key again, R1 will be energized as heretoforedescribed before releasing the card. Consequently, the R1-4 con tact(off line 102a) point will be opened to break the circuit to #1 reset,and accordingly, during card release the #2 stepping switch will bereset, but not the #1 stepping switch. Therefore, for example, ifinstead of making another error in field four, the operator makes anerror in field seven, after fields four, five and six have beensatisfactorily punched, then the error card at the punch station willhave six correct fields, and an error in the seventh field. The errorkey causes the last named error card to be advanced to the card readstation, whereupon six fields will then be duplicated in a second newcard at the punch station, before manual keyboard control is restored.

In normal operation of a card punch of the type described in U.S. Patent2,647,581, a card is automatically released after column has beenpunched. quently, if an error occurs in the last column, the card wouldbe released before the error key could be struck. The same situationexists if the card is programmed so that column 75 or any other columnis the last column punched. With the automatic release of such a card,both stepping switches would be reset, as previously described, andconsequently, all the storage would be lost. In order to compensate forthis condition, the machine is changed from automatic release to manualrelease. Accordingly, a card release (after last column has beenpunched) will not take place unless you hit either the error key, if anerror, or the release key, if a correctly punched card.

More specifically, the drum contact (lines 113, 1 14) (whichis connectedto the program drum shaft) is set Conse- 7 to close the contacts DR1 andDR2 at column 80% and keep them closed for an interval long enough toregister column zero of a new card at the punch line and column one ofthe punched card at the read line.

On this basis, a card would be released as soon as column eighty waspunched (and the #1 and #2 stepping switches would be automaticallyreset). In order to prevent this automatic reset, a pair of normallyopen contact points (SP Rel 1 and 2) are placed respectively in thecircuits to the Skip relay and the Feed relay. The Special Release relaywhich controls the closing of these SP contacts is energized for everygood card, or error card, and the cards in the punch station and readstation cannot be released until the special release contact points areclosed. They are closed in the following manner.

With the card stopped, after complete punching, or after an error hasbeen noted, it is necessary to hit either the Release key (line 111) orthe Error key (line 112), and it will be noted that if the Release keyis closed, a circuit is available to pick up simultaneously, the NormalRelease relay and the Special Release relay.

The Special Release relay is held in by circuit (line 110) that isenergized by CFZ cam which is closed during substantially all of a cardcycle as described in U.S. Patent 2,647,581. The Special Release relaycloses the Special Release contacts 1 and 2, thereby pulsing both theSkip and the Feed relays (lines 113, 114) when the drum contact closesDR1 and DR2. If the Error key is closed, on the other hand, (a) beforefield #1 has een satisfactorily punched, the Release relay and SpecialRelease relay will be picked through contact 1-23 normally closed, topermit the release of the card; and the resetting of both steppingswitches; or (b) after the stepping switch passes its first point (i.e.after first field punched) then the contact point 1-23 will betransferred to its normally open point so that when the Error key isclosed a pulse will go through 1-23 normally open, now closed, to pickthe R1 relay which, as heretofore described, starts duplication, but R1also opens the circuit off line 102, thereby preventing energization ofthe #1 stepping switch Reset relay. Accordingly, the #2 step ping switchwill be reset, but the #1 stepping switch will indicate the number ofcorrectly punched fields in the card at the punch station.

. While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intentiontherefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, a cardread station, a card punch station, duplicate control means having anormal position wherein said card punch station is operable undercontrol of an external conditioning source and a transferred positionwherein information in a card at said read station is duplicated in acard at said punch station, and circuit controlled mechanism foradvancing a card from said punch station to said read station while anew card is advanced to said punch station, a device for automaticallyduplicating correct information from an error card to a new card at saidcard punch station after said error card has been advanced from thepunch station to the read station comprising an impulsing switch, meansconditioning the same to emit an impulse each time a predeterminedcolumn of a card being punched is in alignment with a referenceposition, a first counting means operable under control of saidimpulsing switch when said duplicate control means is in its normalposition, an error key having circuitry controlled thereby fortransferring said duplicate control means to its transferred position, asecond counting means operable under control of said impulsing switchwhen said duplicate control means is in its transferred position, andcircuit means operable when said counting means reach coincidence forrestoring said duplicate control means to its normal position.

2. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, a cardread station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanism foradvancing a card from said punch station to said read station while anew card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said card readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced from the punch station to the read stationcomprising a program drum having a program card movable column by columnin coincidence with the card at the card read station, an impulsingswitch, said program card being operative to condition said impulsingswitch each time a predetermined column of a card is at the card readstation, a first stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing thesame in increments under control of said program card operated impulsingswitch when said duplicating switch is in its normal position, an errorrelease key having means controlled thereby for transferring saidduplicate switch to its transferred position, a second stepping switchincluding circuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control ofsaid card operated impulsing switch when said duplicate switch is in itstransferred position, circuit means operable when said stepping switchesreach coincidence for restoring said duplicate switch to its normalposition, a normal release key for releasing a satisfactorily completedcard from said punch station, and means under control of said normalrelease key for resetting said stepping switches to their zeropositions.

3. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, a cardread station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanism foradvancing a card from said punch station to said read station while anew card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said card readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced from the punch station to the read stationcomprising an impulsing switch, means conditioning the same each time apredetermined column of a card field is at the card read station, afirst stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing the same inincrements under control of said impulsing switch when said duplicatingswitch is in its normal position, an error release key having meanscontrolled thereby for transferring said duplicating switch to itstransferred position, :1 second stepping switch including circuitry forpulsing the same in increments under control of said impulsing switchwhen said duplicate switch is in its transferred position, circuit meansoperable when said stepping switches reach coincidence for restoringsaid duplicate switch to its normal position, a circuit for resettingboth of said stepping switches, and means under control of said errorrelease key for interrupting the circuit to the first stepping switchreset whereby when said error release key is operated only the secondstepping switch is reset by said reset circuit.

4. In a statistical card punching machine having,,in combination, a cardread station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanism foradvancing a card from said punch station to said read station while anew card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station is operable undercontrol of a manual conditioning source and a transferred positionwherein said card punch station is operable under control of a card atsaid card read station, a device for automatically duplicating correctinformation from an error card to a new card at said card punch stationafter said error card has been advanced to the read station comprising aprogram drum having a card movable column by column in coincidence withthe card at the card read station, said program card being operable tocondition an impulsing switch each time a predetermined column of a cardfield is at the card read station, a first stepping switch includingcircuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control of saidprogram card operated impulsing switch when said duplicating switch isin its normal position, an error release key having means controlledthereby for transferring said duplicate switch to its transferredposition, a second stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing thesame in increments under control of said card operated impulsing switchwhen said duplicate switch is in its transferred position, circuit meansoperable when said stepping switches reach coincidence for restoringsaid duplicate switch to its normal position, a circuit for resettingboth of said stepping switches'and means responsive to operation of saiderror release key for resetting the second stepping switch whileinterrupting the circuit to the. resetof the first stepping switchprovided the first stepping switch has'been advanced from its zeroposition.

5. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, a cardread station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanism foradvancing a card from said punch station to said read station while anew card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said cardreadstation and said card punch station, and a' duplicate switch havinga normal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at saidcard readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard' has been advanced from the punch station to the read stationcomprising an impulsing switch, means conditioning the same each time apredetermined column of a card field is at the card read station, afirst stepping switch including'circuitry for pulsing the same inincrements under control of said impulsing switch when said duplicatingswitch is in its normal position, an error release key having meanscontrolled thereby for transferring said duplicate switch to itstransferred position, a second stepping switch including circuitry forpulsing the same in increments under control of said impulsing switchwhen said duplicate switch is in its transferred position, circuit meansoperable when said stepping switches'reach coincidence for restoringsaid duplicate switch to its normal position, a circuit for resettingboth of said stepping switches, means responsive to operation of saiderror release key for resetting the second stepping'switch whileinterrupting the circuit to the reset of the first stepping switch, andmeans operable under control of said first stepping switch forinterrupting the disabling operation of said first stepping switch resetunder control of said error release key until said' first steppingswitchhas been pulsed at le'ast'once.

6. In: a: statistical card punching machine having, in

circuit controlled mechanism for advancing a cardfrom said punch stationto said read station while a new card is advanced to said punch station,a card escape circuit for advancing cards simultaneously column bycolumn through said card read station and said card punch sta tion, anda duplicate switch having a normal position wherein said card punchstation operates under control of a manual conditioning source and atransferred position wherein said card punch station operates undercontrol of a card at said card read station, a device for automaticallyduplicating correct information from an error card to a new card at saidcard punch station after said error card has been advanced to the readstation comprising an impulsing switch, means conditioning the same eachtime a predetermined column of a card field is at the card read station,a first stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing the same inincrements under control of said impulsing switch when said duplicatingswitch is. in its normal position, an error release key having meanscontrolled thereby for transferring said duplicate switchv to itstransferred position, a second stepping switch including circuitry forpulsing the same in increments under control of said card operatedimpulsing switch when said duplicate switch is in its transferredposition, and circuit means operable when said stepping switches reachcoincidence for restoring said duplicate switch to its normal position,said first stepping switch having normally open contacts which areclosed after said first stepping switch has been advanced from its zeroposition, and means acting through said normally open contacts of saidfirst stepping switch for preventing duplication if said error releasekey is operated before at least one card field has been satisfactorly.completed.

7. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, a cardread station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanism foradvancing a card from said punch station to said read station while anew card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column throughtsaid card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof amanual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to'a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced from the punch station to the read stationcomprising a program card movable columnv by column in coincidence withthe card at the card read station, said program card being operative tocondition an impulsing switch each time a predetermined column of a cardis at the card read station, a first stepping switch including circuitryfor pulsing the same in ncrements under control of said program cardoperated impulsing switch when said duplicating switch is in its normalposition, an error release key having means controlled thereby fortransferring said duplicate switch to its transferred position, a secondstepping switch includmg circuitry for pulsing the same in incrementsunder control of said card operated impulsing switch when said duplicateswitch is in its transferred position, and circuit means operable whensaid stepping switches reach coincidence for restoring said duplicateswitch to its normal position, a circuit for resetting both of saidstepping switches, meansunder control of said error release key forinterrupting the circuit to the first stepping switch resetdevice'whereby'when said error release key is operated only the secondstepping switch is reset by said reset circuit, said first steppingswitch having normally open contacts which are closed after said firststepping switch has been advanced from its zero position, and meansacting through said normally opencontacts of saidfirst'stepping switchfor preventing duplication if said error release key is operated beforeat least one card field has been satisfactorily completed.

8. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, a cardread station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanism foradvancing a card from said punch station to said read station while anew card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said card readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced to the read station comprising a program drumhaving a program card movable column by column in coincidence with thecard at the card read station, said program card being operable tocondition an impulsing switch each time a predetermined column of a cardfield is at the card read station, a first stepping switch includingcircuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control of saidprogram card operated impulsing switch when said duplicating switch isin its normal position, an error release key having means controlledthereby for transferring said duplicate switch to its transferredposition, a second stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing thesame in increments under control of said card operated impulsing switchwhen said duplicate switch is in its transferred position, circuit meansoperable when said stepping switches reach coincidence for restoringsaid duplicate switch to its normal position, and means under control ofsaid program card for continuing duplication through the remainder of acard field even though said stepping switches have reached coincidence.

9. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, a cardread station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanism foradvancing a card from said punch station to said read station while anew card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said card readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced to the read station comprising a program drumhaving a program card movable column by column in coincidence with thecard at the card read station, said program card being operable tocondition an impulsing switch each time a predetermined column of a cardfield is at the card read station, a first stepping switch includingcircuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control of saidprogram card operated impulsing switch when said duplicating switch isin its normal position, an error release key having means controlledthereby for transferring said duplicate switch to its transferredposition a second stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing thesame in increments under control of said operated impulsing switch whensaid duplicate switch is in its transferred position, circuit meansoperable when said stepping switches reach coincidence for restoringsaid duplicate switch to its normal position, said circuit for pulsingsaid stepping switches having means therein for interrupting the pulseto a stepping switch until the first column of a card field at the punchstation is conditioned to be punched.

10. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, acard read station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanismfor advancing a card from said punch station to said read station whilea new card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said card readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced to the read station comprising an impulsingswitch, means conditioning the same each time a predetermined column ofa card field is at the card read station, a first stepping switchincluding circuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control ofsaid impulsing switch when said duplicating switch is in its normalposition, an error release key having means controlled thereby fortransferring said duplicate switch to its transferred position, a secondstepping switch including circuitry for pulsing the same in incrementsunder control of said impulsing switch when said duplicate switch is inits transferred position, circuit means operable when said steppingswitches reach coincidence for restoring said duplicate switch to itsnormal position, a normal release key for releasing a satisfactorilycompleted card from said punch station, means under control of saidnormal release key for resetting said stepping switches to their zeropositions, said first stepping switch having normally open contactswhich are closed after said first stepping switch has been advanced fromits zero position, and means acting through said normally open contactsof said first stepping switch for preventing duplication if said errorrelease key is operated before at least one card field has beensatisfactorily completed.

11. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, acard read station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanismfor advancing a card from said punch station to said read station whilea new card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said card readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced to the read station comprising a program drumhaving a program card movable column by column in coincidence with thecard at the card read station, said program card being operative tocondition an impulsing switch each time a predetermined column of a cardfield is at the card read station, a first stepping switch includingcircuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control of saidprogram card operated impulsing switch when said duplicating switch isin its normal position, an error release key having means controlledthereby for transferring said duplicate switch to its transferredposition, a second stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing thesame in increments under control of said card operated impulsing switchwhen said duplicate switch is in its transferred position, circuit meansoperable when said stepping switches reach coincidence for restoringsaid duplicate switch to its normal position, a normal release key forreleasing a satisfactorily completed card from said punch station, meansunder control of said normal release key for resetting said steppingswitches to their zero positions, and means under control of saidprogram card for continuing duplication through the remainder of a cardfield even though said stepping switches have reached coincidence.

12. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, acard read station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanismfor advancing a card from said punch station to said read station whilea new card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said card readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced to the read station comprising a program drumhaving a program card movable column by column in coincidence withthecard at the card read station, said program card being operative tocondition an impulsing switch each time a predetermined column of a cardfield is at the card read station, a first stepping switch includingcircuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control of saidprogram card operated impulsing switch when said duplicating switch isin its normal position, an error release key having means controlledthereby for transferring said duplicate switch to its transferredposition, a second stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing thesame in increments under control of said card operated impulsing switchwhen said duplicate switch is in its transferred position, and circuitmeans operable when said stepping switches reach coincidence forrestoring said duplicate switch to its normal position, a normal releasekey for releasing a satisfactorily completed card from said punchstation, and means under control of said normal release key forresetting said stepping switches to their zero positions, said circuitfor pulsing said stepping switches having means therein for interruptingthe pulse to a stepping switch until the first column of a card field isconditioned to be punched.

13. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, acard read station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanismfor advancing a card from said punch station to said read station whilea new card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said card readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at saidcard punch station after said errorcard has been advanced to the read station comprising a program drumhaving a program card movable column by column in coincidence with thecard at the card read station, said program card being operative tocondition an impulsing switch each time a predetermined column of a cardfield is at the card read station, a first stepping switch includingcircuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control of saidprogram card operated impulsing switch when said duplicating switch isin its normal position, an error release key having means controlledthereby for transferring said duplicate switch to its transferredposition, a second stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing thesame in increments under control of said card operated impulsing switchwhen said duplicate switch is in its transferred position, circuit meansoperable when said stepping switches reach coincidence for restoringsaid duplicate switch to its normal position, a normal release key forreleasing a satisfactorily completed card from said punch station, meansunder control of said normal release key for resetting said steppingswitches to their zero positions, said circuit for pulsing said steppingswitches having means therein for inter- 14 ruptingt the pulse to astepping switch until the first column of the corresponding card fieldis conditioned to be punched, and means under control of said programcard for continuing duplication through the remainder of a card fieldeven though said stepping switches have reached coincidence.

14. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, acard read station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanismfor advancing a card from said punch station to said read station whilea new card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control, of a card at said card, readstation, a device for automatically duplicating'correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced to the read station comprising a program drumhaving avprogram card movable column by column in coincidence with thecard at the card read station, said program card being operable tocondition an impulsing switch each time a predetermined column of a cardfield is at the card read station, a first stepping switch includ ingcircuitry for pulsing the same in, increments under control of saidprogram card operated impulsing switch when said duplicating switch isin its normal position, an error release key having means controlledthereby for transferring said duplicate switch to its transferredposition, a second stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing thesame in increments under control of said card operated impulsing switchwhen said duplicate switch is in its transferred position, circuit meansoperable when said stepping switches reach coincidence for restoringsaid duplicate switch to its normal position, a circuit for resettingboth of said stepping switches, means under control of said errorrelease key for interrupting the circuit to the first stepping switchreset device whereby when said error release key is operated only thesecond stepping switch is reset by said reset circuit, said firststepping switch having normally open contacts which are closed aftersaid first stepping switch has been advanced from its zero position,means acting through said normally open contacts of said first steppingswitch for preventing duplication if said error release key is operatedbefore at least one card field has been satisfactorily completed, andmeans under control of said program card for continuing duplicationthrough the remainder of a card field even though said stepping switcheshave reached coincidence.

15. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, acard read station, a card punch station, circuit controlled mechanismfor advancing a card from said punch station to said read station whilea new card is advanced to said punch station, a card escape circuit foradvancing cards simultaneously column by column through said card readstation and said card punch station, and a duplicate switch having anormal position wherein said card punch station operates under controlof a manual conditioning source and a transferred position wherein saidcard punch station operates under control of a card at said card readstation, a device for automatically duplicating correct information froman error card to a new card at said card punch station after said errorcard has been advanced to the read station comprising a program drumhaving a program card movable column by column in coincidence with thecard at the card read station, said program card being operable tocondition an impulsing switch each time a predetermined column of a cardfield is at the card read station, a first stepping switch includingcircuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control of saidprogram card operated impulsing switch when said duplicating switch isin its normal position, an error release key having means controlledthereby for transferring said duplicate switch to its transferredposition, a second stepping switch including circuitry for pulsing thesame in increments under control of said card operated impulsing switchwhen said duplicate switch is in its transferred position, circuit meansoperable when said stepping switches reach coincidence for restoringsaid duplicate switch to its normal position, a circuit for resettingboth of said stepping switches, means under control of said errorrelease key for interrupting the circuit to the first stepping switchreset device whereby when said error release key is operated only thesecond stepping switch is reset by said reset circuit, said firststepping switch having normally open contacts which are closed aftersaid first stepping switch has been advanced from its zero position,means acting through said normally open contacts of said first steppingswitch for preventing duplication if said error release key is operatedbefore at least one card field has been satisfactorily completed, saidcircuit for pulsing said stepping switches having means therein forinterrupting the pulse to a stepping switch until the first column ofthe corresponding card field is conditioned to be punched, and meansunder control of said program card for continuing duplication throughthe remainder of a card field even though said stepping switches havereached coincidence.

16. In a statistical card punching machine having, in combination, acard read station, a card punch station,

circuit controlled mechanism for advancing a card from said punchstation to said read station while a new card is advanced to said punchstation, a card escape circuit for advancing cards simultaneously columnby column through said card read station and said card punch station,and a duplicate switch having a normal position wherein said card punchstation operates under control of a manual conditioning source and atransferred position wherein said card punch station operates undercontrol of a card at said card read station, a device for automaticallyduplicating correct information from an error card to a new card at saidcard punch station after said error card has been advanced from thepunch to the read station comprising an impulsing switch, meansconditioning the same each time a predetermined column of a card is atthe card read station, a first stepping switch including circuitry forpulsing the same in increments under control of said impulsing switchwhen said duplicating switch is in its normal position, an error releasekey having means controlled thereby for transferring said duplicateswitch to its transferred position, a second stepping switch includingcircuitry for pulsing the same in increments under control of saidimpulsing switch when said duplicate switch is in its transferredposition, and circuit means operable when said stepping switches reachcoincidence for restoring said duplicate switch to its normal position.

No references cited.

